Readings for the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin MaryReading I 2 Cor 5:14-21 Brothers and sisters: The love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died. He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh; even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer. So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Responsorial Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful. Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.  R. The Lord is kind and merciful. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.  R. The Lord is kind and merciful. Alleluia See Lk 2:19 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God and pondered it in her heart. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 2:41-51 Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.  - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Dt 7:6-11 Moses said to the people:"You are a people sacred to the LORD, your God;he has chosen you from all the nations on the face of the earthto be a people peculiarly his own.It was not because you are the largest of all nationsthat the LORD set his heart on you and chose you,for you are really the smallest of all nations.It was because the LORD loved youand because of his fidelity to the oath he had sworn your fathers,that he brought you out with his strong handfrom the place of slavery,and ransomed you from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.Understand, then, that the LORD, your God, is God indeed,the faithful God who keeps his merciful covenantdown to the thousandth generationtoward those who love him and keep his commandments,but who repays with destruction a person who hates him;he does not dally with such a one,but makes them personally pay for it.You shall therefore carefully observe the commandments,the statutes and the decrees that I enjoin on you today." Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 10 R. (cf. 17) The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.Bless the LORD, O my soul;all my being, bless his holy name.Bless the LORD, O my soul;and forget not all his benefits.R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.He pardons all your iniquities,heals all your ills.He redeems your life from destruction,crowns you with kindness and compassion.R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.Merciful and gracious is the LORD,slow to anger and abounding in kindness.Not according to our sins does he deal with us,nor does he requite us according to our crimes.R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. Reading 2 1 Jn 4:7-16 Beloved, let us love one another,because love is of God;everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.In this way the love of God was revealed to us:God sent his only Son into the worldso that we might have life through him.In this is love:not that we have loved God, but that he loved usand sent his Son as expiation for our sins.Beloved, if God so loved us,we also must love one another.No one has ever seen God.Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,and his love is brought to perfection in us.This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us,that he has given us of his Spirit.Moreover, we have seen and testifythat the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,God remains in him and he in God.We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.God is love, and whoever remains in loveremains in God and God in him. Alleluia Mt 11:29ab R. Alleluia, alleluia.Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord;and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 11:25-30 At that time Jesus exclaimed:"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,for although you have hidden these thingsfrom the wise and the learnedyou have revealed them to little ones.Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father,and no one knows the Father except the Sonand anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am meek and humble of heart;and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6 Brothers and sisters:To this day, whenever Moses is read,a veil lies over the hearts of the children of Israel,but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed.Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,as from the Lord who is the Spirit.Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us,we are not discouraged.And even though our Gospel is veiled,it is veiled for those who are perishing,in whose case the god of this agehas blinded the minds of the unbelievers,so that they may not see the light of the Gospelof the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness,has shone in our hearts to bring to lightthe knowledge of the glory of Godon the face of Jesus Christ. Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 R. (see 10b) The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.I will hear what God proclaims;the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people.Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,glory dwelling in our land.R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.Kindness and truth shall meet;justice and peace shall kiss.Truth shall spring out of the earth,and justice shall look down from heaven.R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.The LORD himself will give his benefits;our land shall yield its increase.Justice shall walk before him,and salvation, along the way of his steps.R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land. Alleluia Jn 13:34 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I give you a new commandment:love one another as I have loved you.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 5:20-26 Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses thatof the scribes and Pharisees,you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven."You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment,and whoever says to his brother,Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,and there recall that your brotherhas anything against you,leave your gift there at the altar,go first and be reconciled with your brother,and then come and offer your gift.Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,and the judge will hand you over to the guard,and you will be thrown into prison.Amen, I say to you,you will not be released until you have paid the last penny." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 2 Cor 3:4-11 Brothers and sisters:Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take creditfor anything as coming from us;rather, our qualification comes from God,who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant,not of letter but of spirit;for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so gloriousthat the children of Israel could not look intently at the face of Mosesbecause of its glory that was going to fade,how much more will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious?For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious,the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory.Indeed, what was endowed with gloryhas come to have no glory in this respectbecause of the glory that surpasses it.For if what was going to fade was glorious,how much more will what endures be glorious. Responsorial Psalm Ps 99:5, 6, 7, 8, 9 R. (see 9c) Holy is the Lord our God.Extol the LORD, our God,and worship at his footstool;holy is he!R. Holy is the Lord our God.Moses and Aaron were among his priests,and Samuel, among those who called upon his name;they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.R. Holy is the Lord our God.From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them;they heard his decrees and the law he gave them.R. Holy is the Lord our God.O LORD, our God, you answered them;a forgiving God you were to them,though requiting their misdeeds. R. Holy is the Lord our God.Extol the LORD, our God,and worship at his holy mountain;for holy is the LORD, our God.R. Holy is the Lord our God. Alleluia Ps 25:4b, 5a R. Alleluia, alleluia.Teach me your paths, my God,and guide me in your truth.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 5:17-19 Jesus said to his disciples:"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letterwill pass from the law,until all things have taken place.Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandmentsand teaches others to do sowill be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.But whoever obeys and teaches these commandmentswill be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.